The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-09-10

ing out at the lawn.
"This is to he let, believe? VIII |
you allow me to look over "" he
asked, turning towards me as l en-
tered.
His voice seemed familiar l
looked at him more cl Isely, and
then, in spite of the change in his
appearance, l recognized Captain
Vandeleur
What could have brought him
here, l wondered. Surely he would
not care to return to the house,
even if he were in a position to do
so, which, judging from the shabbi-
ness of appearance, seemed very
doubtful.
Halfa-dozen vague conjectures
flashed through my mind, as l looked
at his face, and noticed the restless,
"hunted" look which told of some
wearing dread or anxiety.
After a moments hesitation / as
sented to his quest, and resolved to
conduct him myself on his tour of
inspection.
81 think l have met you before"
I said, feeling curious to know
whether he recollected me.
He glanced at me absently.
POSSIBLY, but not of late years
for l have been living abroad" was
his reply.
Having shown him the apartments
on the ground-Aoor, l led the way
upstairs. He followed me from room
to room in absent, listless fashion,
till we came to the chamber which
Ethel had occupied. Then his inter-
est seemed to revive all at once.
He glanced quickly round the
walls, his eyes resting on the door
of the box-closet.
"That is bath or dressing-room,
I suppose" he said, nodding toward
it.
No, only place for lumber. Per-
haps ought to tell you that it is
said to be haunted.n | added. affect
ing TO speak careless, while 1
kept my eyes on his face.
He stared and turned toward me.
"Haunted--by what ?" he inquir-
ed, with a faint sneer. "Nothing
worse than rats or mice, expect"
"There is a tragical story connect
ed that place." Ianswored, deliber-
ately. "It is said that an unfortun-
ate child was shut up there to die Of
fear, in the dark.
The color rushed to his face, then
retreated, leaving it deadly white.
Indeed !" he faltered "and do
you mean to say that he-the child
has been seen?"
"No, but he has been heard
knocking within and crying to be
let out. The fact is confirmed by
every tenant who has occupied the
, house since-n
l stopped short, startled by the
effect of my revelation.
My companion was gazing at me
with blank stare of horror which
banished all other expression from
, his face.
"Good heavens !" l heard him
mutter "can it be true? Can this
be the reason why was drawn back
, to the place in spite of myself ?"
Recollecting himself, however he
turned to me aud forced his white
lips into a smile.
t "a mysterious storyT" he com
mented, drily. II don't believe Z
word of it myself but l should
hardly care to take a house with an
uncanny reputation. l think ]
need not trouble you any further" D."
As he turned towards the door,
saw his figure sway as if he were
, falling. He put his hands to hi:
) sides, with gasp of pain, Il blush
shade gathering over his face.
, "Are you ill ?" I exclaimed, il
alarm.
cit is nothing. have a weak.
ness of the heart, and l am subjec
to these attacks. May I ask you fol
a glass of water ?"
l left the room to procure it
: When l returned / found that hi
had fallen upon the bed in deat
, swOon.
t l hastily despatched a servant foi
DIR. Cameron, who happened to b.
2 at home, and came Immediately.
: He recognized my visitor at onc'
: and glanced at me significantly.
rapidly explained what had happen
G ed, while he bent over the uncon
i, scious man, and barred his chest t,
/, listen to the heart-beats.
r When he raised himself his fac
e was ominously grave.
{ "Is he in danger 2n | asked nnick